Replacing an engine’s starter isn’t something many people think of until they’re on the side of the road, desperately trying to get their car to start. As the name indicates, the starter “starts” the car’s engine by using the electricity stored by the battery.
Understanding what makes a starter tick and associated costs can save you time, money, and headaches if you need to replace it.
How Much A Starter Replacement Costs?
The cost of rebuild parts for a starter can range from as little as $50 to as much as $350. A brand-new starter can range from $80 to over $350. For a qualified mechanic to replace or rebuild your starter, you can expect to pay between $150 and over $1,100.
These estimates vary dramatically depending on the particular issue and the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Many vehicles have a starter that is easily accessible and can be removed and replaced in under an hour – others are far more complicated, as they can be housed other engine components – like underneath the intake manifold.
If you decide on doing your own replacement, a complete starter replacement is a reasonable DIY project for individuals with the right equipment and experience.
Factors Affecting Starter Replacement Costs
It’s important to understand a few factors when determining starter replacement costs, as the price can vary depending on your vehicle’s make, model, and type of starter you’ll purchase.
Labor is typically the biggest expense for starter replacements. A certified or experienced professional should install the new starter. The labor costs will vary depending on where the starter is located in your car. If you can see it under the engine, replacing it will cost less labor than when installed underneath many other parts, making it harder to access.
You can choose between aftermarket (third-party manufacturers) or original equipment manufacturers (OEM) for replacement starters. Aftermarket parts are typically cheaper but tend to have differences in fit and performance. An OEM part will offer you an exact match for your starter but will cost more. Often OEM parts have warranties, whereas some aftermarket parts do not.
Signs Of A Bad Starter
Sometimes, starter failure can be obvious. In serious cases, your starter can start smoking due to overheating or electrical failure. Often, though, symptoms are more subtle, so look for these signs of a failed starter
- Whirring, grinding, or clicking sounds when trying to start your car
- A loud single click while trying to start the vehicle with no engine crank
- The instrument cluster, headlights, and radio work normally, but nothing happens when you turn the key.
If you have a bad starter, there’s a good chance your car won’t even start, which means you won’t be able to drive it or jump-start it.
Common Causes of Starter Failure
Car starters can fail for various reasons, but there are a few common problems behind most starter motor issues. Here are a few examples:
- Loose or corroded connections: These can create an electrical fault that may cause performance issues or lead to the complete failure of the starter.
- Wear and tear: Wear and tear on the internal gears of the starter can reduce its lifespan.
- Lack of maintenance: Ignoring routine vehicle servicing and inspection could lead to starter motor failure.
Average car starter lifespan
A car starter can give you around 80,000 starts before you should expect it to struggle, regardless of the mileage you drive. This is around 150,000 miles for some cars, while some starters can last the vehicle’s life.
Like all car parts, starters are affected by factors such as time and climate. As a result, they’re susceptible to wear and tear, and you place a demand on the part every time you start your car. Car starters also tend to last longer in warmer climates, so driving in harsh winters could shorten a car starter’s lifespan.
Saving on car starters
A reliable car starter can’t be underrated, and you don’t want to go cheap on replacing a bad one. However, you can do a few things to avoid overpaying.
Ask for a quote upfront. Regardless of where you plan to take your car to have a starter installed, ask for a quote on the parts and labor.
Compare quotes. If you can, talk to more than one shop to compare quotes. While the parts might cost around the same amount, other fees might differ from one shop to another.
Ask if the quote is for OEM parts or aftermarket. Original equipment manufacturer parts are sold by the same manufacturer as your car and guaranteed to fit and work the way they’re supposed to. However, they are often more expensive. If you are comfortable using aftermarket parts, ask for a quote using them instead and see what the price difference would be.
Install it yourself. If you have the right tools and a working knowledge of cars, you can save labor costs by installing the starter on your own. YouTube videos can be a big help. But fair warning: If you mess something up, you might have to pay more to fix it.
FAQs.
How do I know if my starter is bad?
Signs of a Bad Starter:
1. Whirring, grinding, or clicking sounds when trying to start your car.
2. A loud single click while trying to start the vehicle with no engine crank.
3. The instrument cluster, headlights, and radio work normally, but nothing happens when you turn the key.
Is it worth replacing a starter?
If you are hearing any unusual noises when you first turn your car on, it usually means that it’s time to replace your car’s starter. It’s never fun having to spend money on repairs for your vehicle, but if you don’t repair your starter now, it could necessitate more expensive repairs later.
How many hours does it take to replace a starter?
Due to the complexity of starter motors, the average amount of time it takes to completely replace a starter is generally between 2 and 4 hours. If your car has an easily accessible starter and you take it to a mechanic worth their salt, your time should hopefully be closer to 2 hours rather than 4.
Can I replace a starter myself?
Luckily, replacing a starter is not a difficult task. In most cases, it’s a fairly simple process that anyone with basic car knowledge can do.
Can a bad starter still start?
Yes, a bad car starter can still crank. However, it may crank slowly or make unusual noises when attempting to start the engine. If you’re experiencing issues with your car’s starter, it’s best to have it inspected and potentially replaced by a professional mechanic.